Date set for 3 to plead

Two of three men charged with aggravated robbery and theft to take plea next month in the High Court in Suva.

Nacanieli Bakata, 32, Josaia Dobui, 22 and Ilaitia Vuivuda, 26, appeared before Justice Salesi Temo on Friday.

They are each charged with one count each of aggravated robbery and theft. The three men allegedly involved in an aggravated robbery case on the early morning of September 15, whereby they threatened a family in their home.

It is alleged that the three men entered the home of an accountant in Navua and stole assorted items as well as the family car.

The three accused allegedly entered the home of a person and stole assorted items and cash to the total value of $63,533 on September 15, 2017, in Navua.

It was also said that Dobui allegedly stole $1000 from a Bank of the South Pacific (BSP) ATM in Sigatoka with the card he stole from the person’s wife.

Dobui was sentenced to eight years in jail for the same matter by Justice Temo last month after voluntarily pleading guilty to the charge. Bakata and Vuivuda maintained a not guilty plea.

Vuivuda told the court that as per his last court date, he was to be taken to the eye specialist at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, but he was never taken for the treatment.

Justice Temo ordered the state counsel to prepare an order for the accused to be taken to the CWM Hospital for his treatment and needed to be escorted by the Police officers.

Bakata and Vuivuda were remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned for plea to November 16 before Justice Temo. A production order was issued for Dobui to be present in court on the same date.